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Dirt Town
- Author
- Hayley Scrivenor
- Narrator
- Sophie Loughran
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 23 June 2022
- Run Time
- 10 hours 29 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
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What to expect
*Winner of the CWA New Blood Dagger 2023*
'A heart-wrenching mystery' – Jane Harper, author of The Dry
Twelve year-old Esther Bianchi disappears on her way home from school in the small town of Durton – and the truth will not come easily. Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor is an atmospheric crime novel set in rural Australia.
Dirt town. Dirt and hurt – that’s what others would remember about our town . . .
The Detective
As the community is thrown into a state of grief and suspicion, Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels begins her investigation into the disappearance of Esther Bianchi. She questions those who knew the girl, attempting to unpick the secrets which bind them together.
The Mother
The girl’s mother believes that her daughter going missing is the worst thing that can happen to her. But as the search for Esther develops, she learns that things can always get worse.
The Friends
Ronnie is Esther’s best friend and is determined to bring her home. So when her classmate Lewis tells her that he saw Esther with a strange man at the creek the afternoon she went missing, Ronnie feels she is one step closer to finding her. But why is Lewis refusing to speak to the police?
And who else is keeping quiet about what happened to Esther?
'I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough' - Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End
'A stunning debut' - Ann Cleeves
Critics Review
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A heart-wrenching mystery, Hayley Scrivenor’s remarkable sense of place brings Dirt Town to life. A stellar debut
Jane Harper, bestselling author of The Dry
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A stunning debut. Achingly atmospheric, thrilling and heartfelt, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough
Chris Whitaker, internationally bestselling author of We Begin at the End
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Beautifully written, compassionate, with an entirely credible but heart-breaking ending. A stunning debut
Ann Cleeves, The Sunday Times bestselling author
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Dirt Town deserves its praise. It is an intelligent novel, one that grapples with complex social and political dynamics, and brings a fresh voice to familiar narratives
Guardian
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[A] deeply impressive first novel . . . It is a powerful story, shot through with moments of horror and tenderness, and another devastating indictment of the outback mentality
The Times
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Best crime debut in ages, Hayley Scrivenor is a major new talent. Page-turning, heart-breaking, gut-wrenching stuff. I can’t remember when I enjoyed a book so much
Erin Kelly, The Sunday Times bestselling author of He Said/She Said
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Masterful. Australian crime has a new star. The characters of Dirt Town are rich, raw and beautifully realized. One of the crime books of the year. Intelligent, nuanced and compassionate
Chris Hammer, bestselling author of Scrublands
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A chilling and darkly atmospheric novel. I literally couldn’t put it down.
Ruth Hogan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
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Raw and intimate, Hayley Scrivenor unpacks small town life and its tragedies with heart and prowess
Anna Bailey
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Highly doubt I will read a better debut in 2022. Evocative, immersive, heart-breaking and ultimately hopeful. In a word, brilliant
Sarah Hilary, author of Fragile
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A gripping mystery told in authentic and innovative fashion, Dirt Town will keep you engrossed. Hayley Scrivenor is an exciting new voice and an author to watch
Adam Hamdy, The Sunday Times bestselling author
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Dirt Town is a remarkable debut, Hayley Scrivenor is masterful in her deft handling of the tensions underpinning a small, regional town, and the complex characters that populate it. You will not be able to put it down
Hannah Kent
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I loved it. Brilliantly written, evocative and touching
Charlotte Levin
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Broadchurch but in a scorched, dying town in rural Australia. Immersive, sweeping and superb
Catherine Ryan Howard
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[An] exceptional slice of outback noir
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User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Hayley Scrivenor
- Narrator
- Sophie Loughran
- Duration
- 10 hours 29 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 June 2022
- ISBN
- 9781529080308
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Psychological thriller, Crime and mystery: police procedural, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Narrative theme: sense of place
Synopsis
*Winner of the CWA New Blood Dagger 2023*'A heart-wrenching mystery' – Jane Harper, author of The DryTwelve year-old Esther Bianchi disappears on her way home from school in the small town of Durton – and the truth will not come easily. Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor is an atmospheric crime novel set in rural Australia.Dirt town. Dirt and hurt – that’s what others would remember about our town . . .The DetectiveAs the community is thrown into a state of grief and suspicion, Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels begins her investigation into the disappearance of Esther Bianchi. She questions those who knew the girl, attempting to unpick the secrets which bind them together.The MotherThe girl’s mother believes that her daughter going missing is the worst thing that can happen to her. But as the search for Esther develops, she learns that things can always get worse.The FriendsRonnie is Esther’s best friend and is determined to bring her home. So when her classmate Lewis tells her that he saw Esther with a strange man at the creek the afternoon she went missing, Ronnie feels she is one step closer to finding her. But why is Lewis refusing to speak to the police?And who else is keeping quiet about what happened to Esther?'I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough' - Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End'A stunning debut' - Ann Cleeves
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